Thread: Do you have integrity?!? Cover band related...

Quote: Originally Posted by dairyairman i'm thinking that if you want to sing lead vocals in this cover band and most of what you're playing is contemporary pop and hip hop, why even bother with a drum kit? all that music uses programmed drums anyway, so get rid of those drums and get a beat box. It's about the live feel and energy only a band can bring. DJs/drum machines are good, but they don't compare. Listen to the...

I used to think of covers bands as lame when I was young. It was originals all the way, with a few crowd pleasing covers just to keep the wasted punters rocking. Now, after a long break from drumming, my current band is playing covers exclusively. Somewhere along the line that snobby anti-covers attitude left me. Everyone in the band has some originals tucked away but most aren't suited to the style we're playing and our singer is a...

Quote: Originally Posted by Ian I do see what you are saying, but the band is what makes this idea worth doing, in many respects. ok. i see what you're saying. a lot of hip hop artists tour with human drummers for that very reason. i was just thinking you'd be better off focusing on lead vocals and standing up front, but if you're not a lead vocalist then it doesn't matter so much.

Quote: Originally Posted by Neil I play in a covers band that has an original music 'wing' so to speak. Same people 2 different band names . One guess which one gets the most work. Originals are fun and let you get creative but covers allow me to play the drums and hone my/our craft. I get some stick for it, the department at my office is full of musicians (seems people who work IT moonlight as musicians as well) but I've...

Quote: A person on another forum called me a "Percustitute" and I think he's right! I refer to myself as a whore and a mercenary all the time. Two of my favorite things are to play music, and to earn a good living. Nothing wrong with doing both as long as your conscience is clear .

I agree with the other posts on here. If you arrive at the gig on time and prepared as best you can be, and act professional, and play the best you can, you have INTEGRITY. That being said, I'll gladly pimp myself out. Usually for cash or a good meal, or a good time. Heck, I'll even pimp myself out for less if the mood strikes me and feel that I can learn something from it. Pimping can be fun and profitable. If it feels good, DO IT!...

Quote: Originally Posted by mrchattr It's much more of a "sell out" to spend time away from the drums to pay the bills, than it is to sit behind the drums and earn your living that way (not calling everyone who doesn't play for a living a sell-out, but hopefully you all get my point!!!!!!!!!!!!) I've got your point and I've taken it in the spirit it was offered, but I'd like to counter with an...

I dont think Todd Sucherman lost any integrity when he joined Styx ( playing cover tunes) Playing music that was already wrote. Playing covers or your own stuff still takes skill and practice. If you play in a cover band and have 4 or 500 people there to see you and have a good time. Thats a great feeling, if you play your own music and have 10 people show up thats a bummer, I have been on both sides. I perfer to play in front of a big croud...

I play in a covers band that has an original music 'wing' so to speak. Same people 2 different band names. One guess which one gets the most work. Originals are fun and let you get creative but covers allow me to play the drums and hone my/our craft. I get some stick for it, the department at my office is full of musicians (seems people who work IT moonlight as musicians as well) but I've always thought who is the bigger loser,...

Whats to stop you playing covers in your own way? Adding your own personality to it? You can still play the 'main' recognised parts - but throw in a different fill, crash pattern- who knows what else? My British cover does this all the time- also we play songs a certain way on purpose to fit us or the instruments we have , so I have had to adjust certain songs etc- add in parts take away others to make it gel with what the rest of...